St Tropez is best seen from the water, where the famous port, millionaire villas, quiet coves, and Port Grimaud line up in one easy outing. This private four-hour charter lets you set the pace, with a skipper such as Matt or Sirio handling the boat while you choose between swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply enjoying the ride.

I like the all-in water-sports gear, which includes paddleboards, wakeboards, skis, towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra charge. I also like the price structure: $300.72 covers the whole boat for up to six people, not six separate tickets. The main catch is the fuel surcharge, plus a €50 pickup fee if you start in St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud instead of Marines de Cogolin.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You share the boat only with your own group, so the day can suit swimmers, families, and energetic water-sports fans at the same time.
• Marines de Cogolin is the standard departure point: Pickup from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud costs €50.
• Water gear is included: Paddleboards, snorkels, wakeboards, water skis, towable tubes, and buoyancy aids are available without an added equipment charge.
• Four hours can cover several styles of outing: You can cruise, stop in sheltered bays, visit Port Grimaud, or spend much of the time playing in the water.
• Fuel is separate: A €100 deposit is collected before departure, with the final amount based on actual use.
• Bring your own refreshments: The operator supplies ice, water, glasses, and a coolbox, but food and other drinks are up to you.

Why a private boat works so well in St Tropez

A shared cruise usually asks you to follow its clock. This charter gives you a much better fit for a mixed group. One person can swim while another uses the paddleboard, and children can try a towable tube while adults sit back with a drink.

That flexibility matters in the Bay of St Tropez. You may want a quick look at the port, a quiet swim in Baie des Canebiers, and time to walk around Port Grimaud. Or you may prefer to skip most of the sightseeing and spend the afternoon wakeboarding and tubing. Your skipper can adjust the balance.

The boat is described as tidy, comfortable, and suited to both quick runs and relaxed cruising. The guides named in the supplied details include Matt and Sirio, and the strongest praise centers on their friendly approach, preparation, and willingness to explain the area while also helping people use the equipment.

This is not a formal sightseeing cruise with a fixed script. It feels more like hiring a capable local skipper for a half-day on the bay. That is its greatest strength, but it also means you should discuss your priorities at the start. Four hours passes quickly if you try to fit every stop and every sport into one outing.

Leaving Marines de Cogolin for the bay

The normal departure is from Marines de Cogolin, a practical home port near the western end of the bay. You can request collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud, but that adds €50. Tell the operator your preferred port when booking rather than assuming the boat will meet you wherever is most convenient.

The price is $300.72 per group of up to six people. Split six ways, that is about $50 per person before fuel, which is a fair figure for a private boat, skipper, and water equipment. For two people, the cost per head is much higher, but you also get a roomy private outing rather than a seat on a scheduled group boat.

A €100 fuel deposit is taken before the trip. Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour, while high speeds and towable activities can use around €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel. If the final fuel cost is lower than the deposit, the difference is returned. If the boat uses more, the shortfall is invoiced afterward.

That arrangement is sensible, but budget for it from the beginning. A quiet cruise with a few stops should cost less in fuel than an afternoon of wakeboarding, water skiing, and repeated tube rides. Ask for a rough estimate if keeping the total price tight matters to you.

Port of St Tropez: famous waterfront, quick orientation

The first suggested stop is the Port of Saint Tropez, usually for about 30 minutes. From the boat, you get a different view of the town than you would from the crowded quayside. The harbor is lined with large yachts, bars, and the polished front that made St Tropez famous.

This is a good opening stop because it gives everyone a quick sense of place. You can look at the superyachts, take photographs, and hear background about the port and local sights from your skipper. Matt has been praised for providing explanations during the ride, while Sirio is noted for showing the group attractive spots and adapting to requests.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes is enough for a look, not a full town visit. If your priority is shopping, cafés, or walking through St Tropez itself, you will need a separate visit on another part of your trip. Here, the port is mainly a scenic introduction before the boat moves toward the swimming stops.

Plage des Graniers: a useful first water stop

The boat can anchor near Plage des Graniers for about 30 minutes. This is your chance to snorkel or swim, and you may also be able to reach the beach bar by tender boat. A lunch reservation at Les Graniers restaurant can be arranged if requested.

The short stop works well for a quick swim before a longer session later. You can stay in the water, remain on board, or combine both. The included snorkels and buoyancy aids make this easy for a group that does not want to hire equipment separately.

Lunch here needs planning. Food and drink are not included, so you have two clear choices: bring your own provisions for the coolbox, or ask about arranging a restaurant reservation. The boat provides ice, water, and glasses, which makes a packed lunch or simple onboard picnic practical.

Do not treat this as a guaranteed long beach break. The scheduled time is around 30 minutes, and the overall outing has several possible stops. If eating at Les Graniers is important, mention it before departure so the day can be shaped around it.

Baie des Canebiers, the best all-round water stop

The stop at Plage des Canoubiers, also called Baie des Canebiers or Millionaires Bay, allows about an hour. This is the heart of the outing for most groups. The boat moors up, and you can swim, snorkel, or use a paddleboard around it.

The longer pause gives you enough time to do more than take a quick dip. You might start with snorkeling, climb aboard for a rest, then try the paddleboard. Families can divide their time between calm play and simple sightseeing, while more active groups may prefer a towable activity elsewhere.

Several family outings have combined snorkeling in Baie des Canebiers with paddleboarding near La Madrague. That pairing makes sense: the bay offers a relaxed setting for exploring the water, while the boat itself gives you a comfortable base between activities.

Water conditions and weather will shape what is possible. This experience requires good weather, and the skipper has the final say on safe use of the equipment. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, but do not count on every activity being available in every condition.

Port Grimaud: canals, cafés, and a change of pace

Port Grimaud takes about an hour in the suggested plan. Known as the Little Venice of France, this canal village gives the trip a welcome change of pace. Instead of staying on the water, you can get off and walk around, stop for an ice cream or beer, or arrange lunch.

This is the most useful stop for a group with different interests. Strong swimmers can enjoy the earlier bay stops, while anyone ready for a break can stroll through the canals and take in the unusual architecture. It also gives families a land-based pause after several hours of sun and salt water.

The trade-off is that every minute spent walking around Port Grimaud is a minute not spent swimming or using the water gear. Tell the skipper whether Port Grimaud is a must-see or merely an option. The private format makes that conversation worthwhile.

The supplied information spells the place as Port Grimaud, although one itinerary reference contains a minor spelling variation. The destination itself is clear: the canal village at the head of the bay, not another separate port.

The water-sports menu is the real selling point

The equipment list is unusually broad for a four-hour private outing. You can use:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkels
• Wakeboards
• Water skis
• Inflatable towable tubes
• Buoyancy aids

This range lets your group choose its own level of effort. You do not need everyone to be a confident athlete. Some people can lounge on the boat, others can paddle, and those who want speed can ask about wakeboarding or a tube ride.

The guides are also praised for bringing the gear ready to use and helping children try several activities. One family particularly enjoyed a donut-style towable ride for two young daughters. That points to a useful tip: tell the operator the ages and interests of everyone in your group before the trip, especially if children are coming.

High-speed sports affect the fuel bill. They also take time to set up, so an active group should not expect a full sightseeing circuit plus unlimited towable rides in four hours. If sports are your main reason for booking, say so clearly and consider giving Port Grimaud less time.

What the skipper adds to the experience

You are not piloting the boat. A skipper handles navigation, timing, and the practical side of moving between the coves and ports. That lets you focus on the view and the people you came with.

Matt is praised for being flexible with pickup and for bringing tubing equipment and paddleboards. Sirio is repeatedly described as attentive, good with families, and helpful with explanations about St Tropez and the places around the bay. The names appear in different accounts, so your exact guide may depend on the date and crew.

This personal attention is a major reason to choose a private charter over a large boat excursion. You can ask to slow down, stay longer in a bay, or add a water activity. Still, flexibility works best when you use it. Before leaving the port, agree on your must-do choices, then let the skipper explain what fits the weather and fuel budget.

Food, drinks, and small practical matters

Food and drink are not included. Bring what you like and load it into the supplied coolbox. Ice, water, and glasses are provided, which covers the basics for a relaxed half-day on the bay.

An onboard picnic is likely the simplest option if you want maximum time on the water. A restaurant stop at Les Graniers or Port Grimaud suits you better if a sit-down meal is part of the plan, but it needs to be worked into the four-hour schedule.

The ticket is mobile, confirmation is provided at booking, and the departure area is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though the listed water activities naturally require you to feel comfortable following the skipper’s safety instructions. Buoyancy aids are available.

Book at least a few weeks ahead if possible. This experience is typically reserved about 27 days before the outing, a useful sign that popular summer dates may not remain open at the last minute.

Who should book this charter

I would choose this for a family or group of friends that wants more than a passive boat ride. It is especially good for six people who can share the fixed group price and want both sightseeing and water sports.

It also suits couples who value space and privacy, though the price is less attractive when divided between only two people. A group focused on St Tropez town itself may prefer a walking visit, since the port stop is brief. A group that dislikes swimming or sports may also find a standard scenic cruise more efficient.

For families, the combination of a skipper, buoyancy aids, paddleboards, snorkeling, and towable rides is a strong match. For active adults, wakeboarding, water skiing, and tubing add real fun. For a mixed group, the private format keeps the day from becoming a contest over one fixed schedule.

Should you book the St Tropez Bay charter?

Book it if you want control, privacy, and a genuine half-day on the water rather than a fixed sightseeing route. The best value comes with five or six people, especially if you plan to use several of the included activities and bring your own refreshments.

Before paying, confirm the departure port, the €50 collection fee if needed, and how much fuel you should expect for your chosen activities. Tell the skipper whether your priorities are swimming, Port Grimaud, lunch, or high-speed sports.

I would not book it solely for a detailed tour of St Tropez town. I would book it for the bay itself: the chance to move from superyachts to quiet coves, try several water sports, and spend four hours with your own group and a helpful skipper. With good weather and realistic timing, it offers a strong mix of freedom, fun, and value.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private charter is for up to six passengers, and the price is charged per group.

Where does the boat normally depart?

The standard departure and return point is Marines de Cogolin.

Can I depart from St Tropez instead?

Yes. Collection from St Tropez, St Maxime, or Port Grimaud is available for an extra €50. You need to request the preferred port when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €100 fuel deposit is collected before the trip. Any unused amount is returned, while extra fuel used is invoiced afterward.

How much fuel might the trip use?

Gentle cruising uses about €15 per hour. High speeds and activities such as wakeboarding or towable rides use about €45 per hour. Stopping in bays uses no fuel.

What water-sports equipment is provided?

The boat provides wakeboards, water skis, stand-up paddleboards, inflatable towable tubes, snorkels, and buoyancy aids at no extra equipment charge.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You should bring your own food and drinks. The operator provides a coolbox, ice, water, and glasses.

Can I visit Port Grimaud during the trip?

Yes. The suggested route includes about an hour at Port Grimaud, where you can get off to explore and stop for lunch, an ice cream, or a beer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.